I think Rick is confusing Romneycare with gay marriage. But then he confuses everything with gay marriage. He seems to think about gay marriage a lot. When he's not thinking about man on dog. Because after all, he IS from Pennsylvania, and we all know what THOSE people are like.

You know, I doubt there's any evidence that prayer has made anyone better in MA either, but I'm pretty sure you're still allowed to close your eyes and ask Baby Jebus to cure your crotch rot, so I think the health care can stay too.

I think Rick is confusing Romneycare with gay marriage. But then he confuses everything with gay marriage. He seems to think about gay marriage a lot. When he's not thinking about man on dog. Because after all, he IS from Pennsylvania, and we all know what THOSE people are like.

Hey! What the hell, dude?

It's not like those of us here in the Keystone State spend all our time...um...funny word, "Keystone." When you think of a key you kinda have to think of a a place to put that key, huh? But nowhere really soft, since it also says stone. Like, say, just off the the top of my head, just stream-of-consciousness here, sake of argument only, the rock-hard abs of Channing Tatum. So it's like sticking something hard into Channing Tatum. But not in a dirty way, like you were in love and wanted to make a commitment, y'know? And then you spilled an entire case of Hershey's Syrup and all his friends were there and got really mad at you and...and...wow, it's sure humid in here. Better get these pants off before I get a rash....

neritz:Marcus Aurelius: 2/3 of Massachusetts residents love their Romneycare because it's not working?

That seems somewhat unlikely to me.

And oddly enough, only 50% of them approve of obamacare, even though it is the same program.

If anything, you would think people in Mass would want Obamacare to hurry up and get here, so they aren't subsidizing all the freeloaders from neighboring states flooding across the border for health care anymore.

I think Rick is confusing Romneycare with gay marriage. But then he confuses everything with gay marriage. He seems to think about gay marriage a lot. When he's not thinking about man on dog. Because after all, he IS from Pennsylvania, and we all know what THOSE people are like.

Hey! What the hell, dude?

It's not like those of us here in the Keystone State spend all our time...um...funny word, "Keystone." When you think of a key you kinda have to think of a a place to put that key, huh? But nowhere really soft, since it also says stone. Like, say, just off the the top of my head, just stream-of-consciousness here, sake of argument only, the rock-hard abs of Channing Tatum. So it's like sticking something hard into Channing Tatum. But not in a dirty way, like you were in love and wanted to make a commitment, y'know? And then you spilled an entire case of Hershey's Syrup and all his friends were there and got really mad at you and...and...wow, it's sure humid in here. Better get these pants off before I get a rash....

gilgigamesh:If anything, you would think people in Mass would want Obamacare to hurry up and get here, so they aren't subsidizing all the freeloaders from neighboring states flooding across the border for health care anymore.

And oddly enough, only 50% of them approve of obamacare, even though it is the same program.

If anything, you would think people in Mass would want Obamacare to hurry up and get here, so they aren't subsidizing all the freeloaders from neighboring states flooding across the border for health care anymore.

I don't think most Liberals care how you arrive at universal health care as long as you get there. If the States lead it, instead of the Feds, I don't think Liberals would give a shiat because it would get done.

And oddly enough, only 50% of them approve of obamacare, even though it is the same program.

If anything, you would think people in Mass would want Obamacare to hurry up and get here, so they aren't subsidizing all the freeloaders from neighboring states flooding across the border for health care anymore.

I don't think most Liberals care how you arrive at universal health care as long as you get there. If the States lead it, instead of the Feds, I don't think Liberals would give a shiat because it would get done.

Cross out "liberals" and write in "people who understand current reality" and you've got it.

And oddly enough, only 50% of them approve of obamacare, even though it is the same program.

If anything, you would think people in Mass would want Obamacare to hurry up and get here, so they aren't subsidizing all the freeloaders from neighboring states flooding across the border for health care anymore.

I don't think most Liberals care how you arrive at universal health care as long as you get there. If the States lead it, instead of the Feds, I don't think Liberals would give a shiat because it would get done.

But we're no where near that. Because the system currently hemmorages cash. Which is the point. The health care is inefficient not as defect, but by design. It has been set up to leak cash all over the place, and the folks who benefit from those dollars getting lost in the shuffle, they are fighting hard to keep it that way, if not MOAR inefficient.

The big winner in this whole debate, have been the insurance companies, who were genuinely concerned that they would be regulated out of existence, and have to find new industries to try to get folks scared about. Had we gone to genuine universal health care, you would see hurricane insurance, tornado insurance, and even the dreaded volcano insurance suddenly become THE issue that EVERYONE needs protection from.

We have validated a system that requires a middleman, and more, we've now mandated that the middlemen stay exactly where they are, and with their hands out even more. For all the wailing from the Wing Nut Brigade, they seem to have lost that particular point, with all their gnashing of teetch about their lost freedoms.

And that too was the whole point of the exercise. Distract folks from the simple fact that insurance companies are going to keep taking their money, and some of their tax dollars as well.

And oddly enough, only 50% of them approve of obamacare, even though it is the same program.

If anything, you would think people in Mass would want Obamacare to hurry up and get here, so they aren't subsidizing all the freeloaders from neighboring states flooding across the border for health care anymore.

I don't think most Liberals care how you arrive at universal health care as long as you get there. If the States lead it, instead of the Feds, I don't think Liberals would give a shiat because it would get done.

But we're no where near that. Because the system currently hemmorages cash. Which is the point. The health care is inefficient not as defect, but by design. It has been set up to leak cash all over the place, and the folks who benefit from those dollars getting lost in the shuffle, they are fighting hard to keep it that way, if not MOAR inefficient.

The big winner in this whole debate, have been the insurance companies, who were genuinely concerned that they would be regulated out of existence, and have to find new industries to try to get folks scared about. Had we gone to genuine universal health care, you would see hurricane insurance, tornado insurance, and even the dreaded volcano insurance suddenly become THE issue that EVERYONE needs protection from.

We have validated a system that requires a middleman, and more, we've now mandated that the middlemen stay exactly where they are, and with their hands out even more. For all the wailing from the Wing Nut Brigade, they seem to have lost that particular point, with all their gnashing of teetch about their lost freedoms.

And that too was the whole point of the exercise. Distract folks from the simple fact that insurance companies are going to keep taking their money, and some of their tax dollars as well.

Single-payer is what you need. Maybe when everyone is insured and the risk pools are developed, you will have an environment which will allow you to take that next step. You have to break the back of GOP opposition. After this, they will have zero credibility on this issue and that is exactly what you need before you can take the next step.

I think Rick is confusing Romneycare with gay marriage. But then he confuses everything with gay marriage. He seems to think about gay marriage a lot. When he's not thinking about man on dog. Because after all, he IS from Pennsylvania, and we all know what THOSE people are like.

He seems very eager to get his hands on other peoples sexual organs.

Santorum can have my organ when he pries it from my sticky dead hands.

I remember some Democrats not being overly enthused with John Kerry, but what I don't remember are said Democrats basically saying "Vote for Bush." I mean, Santorum is for all intents and purposes, saying "Vote Obama, Romney sucks!" Which I'm sure is the opposite of what he was intending to say.

This is fabulous. They quite literally don't want him, didn't ask for him, don't really need him...but are stuck with him anyway. Kind of like annoying family members over the holidays.

Coco LaFemme:I remember some Democrats not being overly enthused with John Kerry, but what I don't remember are said Democrats basically saying "Vote for Bush." I mean, Santorum is for all intents and purposes, saying "Vote Obama, Romney sucks!" Which I'm sure is the opposite of what he was intending to say.

Santorum is still a little butthurt about losing all his momentum because I really think he thought he was going to get that nomination. He speaks out about Romney an awful lot, almost as if he's forgotten that he is not still campaigning for the nomination.

I guess we know for certain at least one person who won't be getting the Vice Presidential nod from Romney....

Whatever changes the topic from Obama's immigration order that's so evil you don't have an alternative to it but you know that it's destroying America but you don't have any alternative plan and DREAM Act?!?!? What the heck is that?!? *cough* *Rubio*

Bullshiat... Which is pretty much what I expect from a smarmy douche bag like Santorum.

Without the Commonwealth plan, my family would be farked financial. We have an affordable plan that covers us effectively and we're just starting to get our heads above water because we're not worried about paying for prescriptions and Doctor's visits with no insurance.

I am so sick of these motherfarking greedy, callus assholes like Santorum who can't wrap their little malformed brains around the idea that we the plan is working and is helping many Massachusetts residents.

I've never seen a group of people so hell bent on farking over the poor, lower-middle classes and middle classes as much as this current group of Republicans.

fark everyone who associates or supports those corrupt, mean-spirited assholes.

vernonFL:It hasn't worked so much that 98% of people in MA have health insurance.

Factcheck.org Romneycare facts and falsehoods

How does that compare to before the program was implemented (I guess five years ago)?

Wait, never mind, I can look that up: Uninsured rate went from 6.4% to 1.9%, about 400k people.

Looking up the cost in the Fact-check article:

the net added cost to Massachusetts taxpayers was $353 million in 2010, or roughly 1.2 percent of the state budget

So the state's out about 1000$ per year per uninsured person now insured. That's not particularly terrible for an urban state with that population, I'd call it probably worthwhile overall. Since Romney helped broker the compromise I'd say it would be legit for him to cite it as a past success in his bid for the presidency.

//No offense, just making sure you weren't throwing up partial data in order to hide something.

keylock71:Bullshiat... Which is pretty much what I expect from a smarmy douche bag like Santorum.

Without the Commonwealth plan, my family would be farked financial. We have an affordable plan that covers us effectively and we're just starting to get our heads above water because we're not worried about paying for prescriptions and Doctor's visits with no insurance.

I am so sick of these motherfarking greedy, callus assholes like Santorum who can't wrap their little malformed brains around the idea that we the plan is working and is helping many Massachusetts residents.

I've never seen a group of people so hell bent on farking over the poor, lower-middle classes and middle classes as much as this current group of Republicans.

fark everyone who associates or supports those corrupt, mean-spirited assholes.

You're talking about the same guy who wants to ban all abortions no matter what, even in the case of saving the life of the mother or if the fetus is dead, despite the fact that he and HIS wife had a 3rd trimester abortion to save her life.

Yep. Vote for Romney, because his health plan that he implemented sucked. That's the new republican slogan. We are going to get 4 more years of usurper-empty-suit-in-chief.We should've gone with someone else who doesn't have the baggage of a quasi-government half-insurance company plan and who has the chops to debate from a scholarly position, like Newt.

mrshowrules:Single-payer is what you need. Maybe when everyone is insured and the risk pools are developed, you will have an environment which will allow you to take that next step. You have to break the back of GOP opposition. After this, they will have zero credibility on this issue and that is exactly what you need before you can take the next step.

I think it's far more likely that we'll see the privatization of medicare than single payer. Health insurance proved it could influence health care policy and with guaranteed subsidized payments coming directly from the taxpayers, they'll have both the money and motivation to fight ruthlessly to keep the system as it is. Democrats and republicans alike will get lobbied into keeping this system, and the American people simply do not have the wherewithal to go contrary to the two party system.